SEEING IS BELIEVING
Thomas,
the skeptic turned believer of the Risen Lord, is a great model for us.
How many times do we fall prey to the spirit of skepticism — that
nagging doubt, that dubious uncertainty, that misguided mistrust rampant
in a society with false values and lies? It is an evil that can dampen
the worst of us in faith and morality. Even after the Apostles had testified to the fact that they saw Jesus, Thomas is obstinate in his doubt: “Unless I put my hands into His side and fingers in the holes made by the nails, I refuse to believe.” The
disciples had no choice. They knew they would not win the argument, so
they had to leave it to the Lord to deal with. And He did, in true form.
A week later, Thomas happened to be among them when Jesus appeared in their midst. And Jesus finally dispelled the doubts and uncertainties of Thomas. The beautiful proclamation of faith, by Thomas, is oft repeated at the time of the lifting of the host in the Mass.
Happy are those who have not seen but have believed. Jesus is referring
to us. Thomas’ doubts are removed; he saw for himself the Risen Christ.
But we have not seen. For John the evangelist, believing is seeing. We
are truly blessed because, even though we have not seen Jesus in the flesh, our faith
is so certain it’s almost as if we have seen Him. In fact, we see Him
every day lifted up on our altars at the consecration. We see Him in the
Blessed Sacrament. We see Him in the proclamation of the Word at Mass
and in the needy that surround us always. Jesus is
always among us — we just need to have the eyes to see Him.
Legends abound about the Apostle whose feast we celebrate today. He
witnessed the Assumption of Mary. There is a Gospel attributed to him.
Thomas preached the Gospel in India. Today, we can turn to him and
invoke his intercession, especially if you are experiencing any doubt in
your faith. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: What doubts rise in your heart?
My Lord and My God! Amen.
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